The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The first track I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is entering a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I perform at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly recite each line to
I recently discovered that I can recall virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to blast at a party
It depends on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can no longer listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that gets me emotional
All music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.
The track I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
